This week, we’re focusing on what’s for lunch. While not everyone has the luxury of a sit-down break where they can pause everything and refuel, most of us have go-to snacks and meals that help us power through the day. If you’re on the lookout for new ideas or thinking about carving out more time for food midday, keep reading!
First off, for those on the go, may we recommend our Grain Train Prepared Foods Department? We typically have four soups on in our Petoskey location so you can grab a cup, bowl or quart to go. We typically offer Turkey Wild Rice and Beef Chili, along with two other rotating soup options. For a quick and delicious lunch, we also keep our burritos warm and ready to go. If you’re craving something lighter, don’t miss our Deli’s grab-and-go case, filled with a variety of fresh salads, entrees, and sides. If you haven’t tried our Awesome Chicken Salad with mixed greens, we highly recommend you do. The same goes for our Sesame Peanut Noodles, Tofu Strips and Ethiopian Tofu – all amazing options that you’ll love. You can check out more of our options HERE.
Let’s talk about some of our snacky favorites! We’ve got A LOT of BARS — Clif Bars, Zing Bars, Perfect Bars, Pro Bars, Kind Bars, Lara Bars, RXBars, Go Macro Bars, and more! Whatever you’re craving in a bar, we’ve got you covered. We also have protein drinks like Rebbl, OWYN, and Orgain for a quick meal on the go. Two snacks making big waves right now are our Aussie Bites and Alyssa’s Healthy Oatmeal Bites. Aussie Bites are whole grain cookies that are more like nutrient-packed mini muffins. Alyssa’s Healthy Oatmeal Bites and Healthy Vegan Bites are not only delicious but also sugar-free, gluten-free, NON-GMO, and dairy-free. Perfect for anyone looking for a wholesome snack!
Whether you’re preparing lunch for your kids, yourself, or both, we’ve got some helpful ideas to make mealtime easier and healthier. grocery.coop introduces the 1+1+1=1 approach: one fruit or vegetable, one protein, and one carbohydrate equals one balanced and satisfying lunch. Favorite fruits and veggies include carrots, bananas, apples, grapes, sliced peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. For protein, you might consider lunch meats (we offer a selection of antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and humanely raised options), hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, nuts and nut butters, hummus, as well as tofu and tempeh options. When it comes to carbohydrates, whole grain choices are always a smart pick. You’ll find plenty of whole grain bagels, crackers, English muffins, and tortillas available. Using this model with children not only helps them understand the importance of a balanced diet but also gives them the freedom to pick from a variety of options, making mealtime more enjoyable. For some more tips on packing lunches, check out this ARTICLE.
Another way to tackle the question of “What’s for lunch?” is by thinking about it in terms of “5 days, 5 ways.” Let’s take a look at some highlights from grocery.coop’s Easy Lunches: 5 Days, 5 Ways. First up: beans. Simply cook 4-5 cups of your favorite beans, and with just a little prep work, you’ll have 5 days of lunches ready to go. You can also roast off a chicken for a variety of meal options. You’ll need about 2 1/2 cups of chicken to cover 5 days of lunches. A helpful tip: for every pound of bone-in chicken, you’ll end up with roughly a pound of pulled meat, which makes it super easy to stretch across multiple meals. Last but not least, Tofu for 5 days. Start with a baked, marinated tofu (check out this recipe from grocery.coop) or use your favorite tofu recipe. From there, the possibilities are endless for creating different, satisfying lunches.
The last tip we’ll leave you with is: you can turn just about anything into a salad! One great idea is Salad in a Jar. This DIY: Salad in a Jar article from grocery.coop provides all the details you need to get started. Below are some of the highlights:
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite dressing to the jar.
- Next, add the hardest, least-absorbent ingredients. Chopped veggies like carrots, celery, fennel and onion can marinate in the dressing on the bottom and absorb flavor without compromising their texture.
- Next, add cooked beans and/or firm grains like rice, barley or spelt; things that won’t get too soggy if they sit on top of, or in, the dressing.
Proteins such as tofu, cooked chicken, ham, or tuna can be added next. - Then add cheese and any softer veggies or fruits that are complementary to your mix. Berries, sliced apples and pears are good seasonal choices, but don’t forget dried fruits like raisins or cranberries that are nice year-round.
- Next add cooked, light, absorbent grains like quinoa or couscous, or pasta.
- Then seeds, nuts or croutons—stuff you’d like to keep fairly crunchy.
- Finally, fill to the top with chopped salad greens.
What’s the best thing about everything we just shared? It’s simple: you can find everything you need to prep healthy lunches for both you and the kids right here at the Grain Train! And if you’re looking for something that’s not on our shelves, don’t forget to check out our newest Owner benefit, Grain Train Provisions. As an Owner, you have access to thousands of products, expanding your options even further. Learn more HERE. Also, make sure to check out our biweekly Co-op Deals sales flyer to plan your shopping trips and save even more. You can find the latest deals HERE. And don’t forget about our Co-op Basics line that brings everyday value to the basics you rely on. Browse our selection HERE.
When it comes to lunch, we’ve got you covered: soups will always be on, snacks will be ready, and our burritos will stay warm! Have a wonderful weekend, keep cooperating, and until next time, we will see you in the stores!
